French automotive component supplier Plastic Omnium (PO, Levallois; www.plasticomnium.com) is investing USD 70m in two new plants in the US. Both facilities are due to come on stream in H2 2015. The first, focused on the manufacture of automotive exterior parts, will be located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with output earmarked for the nearby Volkswagen plant. The second facility, manufacturing fuel systems in Fairfax, Kansas, will deliver mostly to General Motors. Once on stream, the two plants are expected to generate revenue of about USD 140m.

PO said the two facilities will further increase its market share in North America, while also boosting regional revenues, which came to EUR 1.4 bn in 2013 – equal to 27% of the consolidated group total. Altogether, the OEM manufacturer operates 15 plants in North America, including five in the US, nine in Mexico as well as one in Canada.

The plants are part of PO’s EUR 1.2 bn investment programme for the years 2013-2016.